He added: “This is not a red or blue issue. It is an issue of preventing violence, of meeting the state’s legal and moral responsibilities to keep people safe and safeguarding public funds that when sexual abuse happens in prison need to be spent on medical care and mental health care and recovery.”

Harris County jail currently has around 8,900 inmates. At least 250 of them identify as LGBT.

According to the document, a “safe zone project” will promote a “positive relationship of solidarity” between the sheriff’s department and the gay community. These staff members will wear an obvious identifier so they can be easily spotted.

The sheriff’ said his department will also have “zero tolerance” policy for staff sexual misconduct or sexual harassment toward LGBT inmates, with violations resulting in “termination” or referral for criminal charges or other measures.

Another key section of the policy states that trans inmates will be addressed by their chosen name, even if it is not legally changed.

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